THE TRANSITION
The Evolution of Multimedia
“Learn what multimedia is, how it began, and where it’s heading in the future”
The past is history, the present is now, and as we stumble into the new millennium in the 20th century, I can definitely say that we have come a long way. The advancements we have made in multimedia and technology in the past 20 years has been stupendous. It brings chills down my spine to just fathom the concept. For any of you who are unfamiliar with the term multimedia let me explain what multimedia is …
What is multimedia?
Multimedia also referred to as (“hypermedia or rich media”), is simply multiple forms of media integrated together. Media can be one of the following types:
- Text
- Graphics
- Audio
- Animation
- Video
- Data
In order to get a better grasp the idea of the concept of multimedia let me share with you an example of multimedia. For example, multimedia can be a web page on the topic of weight loss that has text regarding nutrition and exercise along with an audio file of songs to help motivate and stimulate you. It can even include a video of a trainer showing you helpful exercises that you can do home to help aid you in losing weight and toning your body.
Besides multiple types of media incorporated with one another, multimedia can also stand for interactive types of media. There are many different forms of multimedia such as:
- Video games
- CD ROMs (ex. a CD that teaches a second language)
- Software
- Information (text, content, ex. a directory at the mall)
- Telephone
- Cell
- Computers
- Television
- Movies
- Animation (digital)
- Video (VHS, DVD)
The history of multimedia
The term multimedia dates all the way back to the year 1965 and the term was created to describe a show by performed by the “Exploding Plastic Inevitable.”The show included a presentation that included music, cinema, special lighting and human performance. Today, the word multimedia is used quite often, using DVD's, CD ROMs, and magazines that include content, pictures and digital images.
Multimedia in the 20th Century
Multimedia is hot and being used all over the world by everyone. Politicians are even getting in on the action. If you noticed in the past couple of year’s politicians have been using the applications on the computer such as YouTube, audio files, magazine content to promote their political careers. If you remember back in the day billboards, and signs on the lawn showing the politicians names was the extent of their multimedia (advertising) tactics to promote themselves. My time has changed! The multimedia tools play a huge part in everyone’s life. Corporations rely on the multimedia to promote their businesses (advertising) to help the economy keep afloat. It is even being used to help children in schools teaching them reading, writing, math and social skills. The wonders of the multimedia technology is evolving this very minute as you read this article, engineers and scientists are thinking and creating new multimedia resources to enhance society and the way we think. What will they think of next...?
